Yes, it's Full of Gibberish, Extreme Hosting and Psychobabble. However, I Honestly Love Meghan's Christmas Special.
No considering the season, it's perpetually fair game for commentary on the Meghan Markle's Netflix series, With Love, Meghan. Critics, expert and amateur alike, have hardly ever agreed so completely as when enthusiastically shredding the lifestyle show's initial installments apart. The prevailing view was that a greater royal outrage had never been witnessed than the now-infamous pretzel re-packaging incident.
Presently, in the spirit of a holiday maverick, she is back with a new offering with a "Holiday Celebration" (or a holiday episode). However on this occasion, things have shifted. The usual elements viewers are accustomed to – meaningless jargon salads, extreme hosting – remain, but within the context of a yuletide episode, the purpose becomes clear. The puzzle has come into place; it's a perfect snow storm.
At this stage, Meghan has become the oddball family member at Christmas celebrations everywhere – providing random tips, and contributing the odd random outburst. ("I love spinach!" … "A tradition has to have a beginning." … "A tree is part of my memory and love of the holiday season.") She's an interesting figure, but her aura is known and strangely comforting. And she looks happy enough; she's not doing any harm.
She knows her each tiny facial movement, word and gaze will be picked apart and judged, but still appears unburdened and serenely untroubled.
Perhaps this is the only time in history where that old chestnut – "Ignore them, they're just jealous" – might be true. The reason is, in all honesty, all aspects in Meghan's Holiday Celebration truly is charming. Admittedly, it's all cringily ultra-extra, foolishness and flamboyant – but isn't that exactly what Christmas is all about? And the words she speaks might be ridiculous, but the life she leads seems authentically shop-bought.
Anything she attempts, she accomplishes with panache. Her culinary efforts looks scrumptious, the holiday arrangement she makes is breathtaking, her gifts are practically too exquisite to open. Nothing is ordinary or aesthetically displeasing – even the way she secures her apron is stylish and elegant. She doesn't bung a dish in the oven, it "has a moment", and she folds wrapping paper like an origami guru. She also seems to be genuinely relishing herself from start to finish. How could any cynical observer not be charmed, filled with holiday spirit and left with a deep longing for crafted festive snaps or a crudites platter where broccoli is organized in the shape of a Christmas ring?
Meghan used to pretend for a living, of course, but nonetheless, after the degree of examination she has weathered since she started dating Prince Harry, the love child of acting royalty would have difficulty behaving this authentically. Her unwillingness to alter or even tone down her shtick, regardless of it being so relentlessly, globally mocked, is strangely reassuring. In our uncertain world, here is something we can count on: Meghan will remain herself, come what may. We will forever know what to expect with her.
If you're still not buying what she's selling, a reminder that will surely come as a relief: you aren't required to. The UK has abolished the draft these days, and were it to return, it would be improbable to include watching With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, on the other hand, you choose to watch and are overcome with envy about her idyllic Christmas, all is not lost either. If you are a royal or a data administrator, no kid truly appreciates the time and energy their mum puts in in December. So you can console yourself by picturing her children's faces when they unfold a calligraphy note that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a handcrafted holiday countdown, in place of a candy.
